Herron's goal gives Strikers 1-0 victory

FORT LAUDERDALE — It's different a season and a better start for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Andy Herron made his Strikers debut memorable scoring the lone goal in the 61st minute for a 1-0 season opening victory over FC Edmonton before 4,779 fans at Lockhart Stadium Saturday.

Last season the Strikers lost their opener at home to the same Edmonton team

Despite playing with 10-men for the entire second half, the Strikers were the aggressor through the early part of the second 45 minutes. That style eventually resulted in Herron's first goal in a Strikers uniform.

Forward Aly Hassan was sent off in the 40th minute with a red card.

"We told the guys at halftime we could win this despite being down a man," Strikers coach Daryl Shore said. "I thought the first 15 minutes on the second half we were good."

Midfielder Scott Lorenz, also making his first start for the Strikers (1-0), served a cross to the far post to the waiting left-foot of Herron just four yards out. It was Herron's first goal in the in the United States since Sept. 15, 2007 when he played for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew.

"I was just waiting for the moment, the one ball that I could get to put in," Herron said. "Scott made a great cross and I just sneaked in front of the defender and finished it.

"If it wasn't for my teammates, we wouldn't of had this big win tonight. We controlled the game and got the three points."

The 33-year old forward had bounced around since playing for the Crew, playing for the Chicago Fire in 2008 before returning to Costa Rican club Herediano for a third time. He played for few other club teams in Central America before signing with the Strikers early this year.

"When playing a man down, you're going to get a few chances here and there," Lorenz said. "It was just a matter of making them count, I needed to have that service be right and Andy was their for it "

Aly Hassan, a graduate of Cypress Bay High and Nova Southeastern University, earned his first professional start against Edmonton. Though he had one of the two Strikers shots on goal in the first half, his debut was short lived.

Hassan was sent packing for the night when he received a red-card in the 40th minute for a hard tackle. It was unfortunate for him with more than 20 friends and family in attendance watching him play.

"The referee thought it was dangerous tackle," Shore said. "The reaction to our players and reaction to the game was absolutely fantastic. For us not to fold our tent and really put our heads down and crying about it was great. We got what we deserved and that was a 1-0 win."

Hassan was happy to earn that start after scoring seven goals during the preseason.

"I came here in preseason just to be part of the squad," Hassan said. "Obviously everyone wants to start. I was just working hard and I got the chance."

Hassan and Leopoldo Morales had the only scoring threats in the first half for the Strikers. Morales' shot came just outside six yards of the right post directly to Edmonton keeper Michal Misiewicz.

Edmonton's best chance of the first half looked like a winner, but Strikers keeper Matt Glaeser's kick save redirected a great opportunity by forward Matt Lam. That shot on goal proved to be the only one of the match for Edmonton (0-1).